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FWD Associated Press - 25 December 2000
[ Massachusetts USA ]
HOMELESS URGED TO SEEK SHELTER AS TEMPERATURES PLUMMET
BOSTON -- Bitterly cold temperatures Monday raised concerns about the
welfare of the city's growing homeless population.
The Pine Street Inn, already filled well above capacity, was reaching out
to people who might try to survive the cold snap in the streets, said
Shepley Metcalf, a spokeswoman for the shelter.
"We have two outreach vans which go out with nurses and counselors," she
said. "They bring warm clothing and blankets and food to those who are
staying out."
Metcalf said the homeless are always offered rides to shelters.
"On a night like this, there'll be some people who will come in."
But others refuse, she said, no matter how cold it is.
It is not unheard of for homeless people to freeze to death during the
winter months. Two winters ago, after seven homeless people died from the
cold on city streets, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino ordered additional
funding for shelters, temporary housing and other services.
The city's most recent homeless count, taken earlier this month, turned up
5,906 homeless adults and children, an increase of 1.5 percent from last
year.
The National Weather Service was forecasting overnight lows in the single
numbers, with winds making it feel as though it were 25 or 30 below zero. A
wind chill advisory was issued for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, northern
Connecticut and southern New Hampshire.
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